C153379 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153379
• Contractor Name: Brook Forest Water District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 9
• County: Jefferson
• Bill Number: SB 80-67
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER II
PROJECT SETTING

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A. INTRODUCTION

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Since the turn of the century, a nearly continuous shortage of irrigation

water has occurred during the irrigation season in the high plains of north

central Colorado. Although the mountains provide a generous supply of snow-

melt water, the peak flow occurs early in the irrigation season. Therefore,

storage is required to regulate the water supply throughout the irrigation

season. Although existing small offstream irrigation reservoirs provide

significant regulation, there are no major reservoirs below Chatfield Dam

(which is primarily a flood control facility) on the main stem of the South

Platte River. Runoff from surplus snowmelt and rainfall from intense summer

storms that may arise within the South Platte Basin are, therefore, lost to

Colorado water users.

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In order to reduce the large volume of water leaving the State each year,

the Hardin Dam and Reservoir, as shown on Figure II-I, has been proposed.

This dam would be located approximately 2.5 miles upstream of Riverside

Reservoir on the South Platte River. It would have a major impact on improv-

ing water management opportunities in the South Platte River Basin, especially

for the area between Kersey and the State Line (former Districts 1 and 64 of

Water Division 1).

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B. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAND
The first pioneer settlement of Colorado began along the eastern Rocky
Mountain foothills in 1846-1848 following the war with Mexico. The discovery
of gold in this region in 1859 led to a rapid influx of settlers and miners.
This set the pattern of development for eastern Colorado as settlement began
in the mountain foothills and moved eastward into the high plains. Dry land
farming, irrigated farming and ranching developed in the plains as Colorado
grew in population and became a state in 1876. A gradual change from rural to
urban development has occurred along the foothills in the period from 1876 to
the present, while the high plains have remained primarily in agricultural

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use.

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